Confidence behind spectacular Sunderland goals, says Sessegnon

Chris Young

STEPHANE Sessegnon believes Sunderland’s renewed purpose under Martin O’Neill is leading them to attempt the audacious.

Sessegnon and Craig Gardner fought it out for the most mouthwatering goal in last weekend’s victory over Swansea City as Sunderland took their tally to 16 points in eight games under O’Neill.

The 15 goals during O’Neill’s tenure have not been short on quality, with Sessegnon, Gardner, Seb Larsson and David Vaughan all netting spectacular individual efforts on a couple of occasions.

Sessegnon, who grabbed his fifth of the season against Swansea, insists the calibre of Sunderland’s finishing is no coincidence – attributing it to the self-belief injected into the Wearsiders’ ranks by their new manager.

The Benin international told the Echo: “There is a lot of confidence in the team at the moment, which is why we’re trying shots like that.

“It was a super strike from Craig because it made sure that we won the game.

“I can’t shout about my goal too much because both goals were really good.

“There’s been some really good goals recently. Seb Larsson has scored a few and Craig’s against Swansea, so I don’t know where mine ranks.

“The ball arrived and I took the chance to have a shot. I should have had a second in the second half with my head when it went just wide.

“But I just hope to continue helping us finding the net and winning games.”